WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Congressman John Boccieri (D-Alliance) announced today (Thursday) the U.S. Department of Labor approved Trade Adjustment Assistance for former PCC Airfoils employees, including on-site leased workers from Kelly Services in Minerva and Crooksville. PCC Airfoils and Kelly Services workers produced castings for turbine engines.
"Finally, help is now on the way for workers at PCC Airfoils who were unexpectedly laid off," said Boccieri. "Trade adjustment assistance is unfortunately all too common in our part of Ohio and I am committed to rebuilding our local economy, making sure our manufacturers have the resources they need to compete in a global economy."
The TAA ruling developed from a DOL investigation which took place in response to a petition filed on behalf of employees of PCC Airfoils. The investigation ruled that PCC Airfoils workers are eligible for Trade Adjustment Assistance because their employment separation situation meets the qualifying TAA guidelines, which include the following:
• PCC Airfoils sold component parts to a firm whose employees are already covered by a previous TAA certification;
• The loss of business by PCC Airfoils to another firm adversely affected by trade contributed greatly to worker separation from PCC Airfoils due to a disruption in the supply chain; and
• A significant number of workers at PCC Airfoils were separated from employment.
This TAA certification provides assistance for PCC Airfoils and Kelly Services (Minerva) workers laid off on or after May 29, 2008 through two years from the date of certification. In addition PCC Airfoils and Kelly Services (Crooksville) workers laid off on or after Oct. 1, 2008 through two years from the date of certification are now eligible for TAA. The official date of certification is Feb. 18, 2010.
Created by Congress under the Trade Act of 1974, TAA helps workers who lose their jobs due to U.S. trade deals with other countries and therefore are adversely affected by foreign competition.
TAA provides benefits such as job placement assistance, career counseling, occupational training, additional weeks of income support, partial reimbursement for out of area job searches, and most relocation expenses for workers who find employment outside the local area. To qualify for benefits, workers must comply with certain state and federal training and job search requirements.